Mini-Trip: Part 2 – Wolves!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn travel21 Comments

I left off yesterday just as I got to the wolves, because this part of the trip deserve its own post.

I had made reservations for Wolf Park way way back at the beginning of the year. Our original plan was to go for Wyatt’s birthday trip and as his gift – however, Wyatt ended up having three emergency shunt revisions instead. Both the Airbnb and Wolf Park rescheduled our dates for us and were amazing to work with. I had purchased the insurance for the Airbnb on a whim, and I am glad that I had that little nudge from within to do that because otherwise I would not have been able to do so. Anyway, our trip changed from March to May, and to be quite honest, the weather was a million times better than it would have been, although we could have done without the surgeries obviously!

Wolf Park was started in 1972 by Dr. Klinghammer who wanted to study and research wolves’ behavior, and create a dictionary of human to wolf behaviors, called an ethogram. Over the years, the methods and research has continued to evolve and grow, and the park is currently home to six wolves, a herd of bison, two red foxes, two gray foxes, and a box turtle named Clementine! There is also acres and acres of protected land surrounding the Park, and this is home to many other wild species of birds and animals.

In addition to all of the scientific observation and conservation efforts, Wolf Park is open to the public, so that we all may learn more about these magnificent creatures, become wildlife advocates, and to dispel the myth of the “big bad wolf”. They offer so many different programs, from the evening wolf howls, photography tours, field trips, birthday parties, bison tours, and private tours, as well as many more. Because Wyatt loves wolves and this was his gift, we made reservations at the wolf howl in the evening, and then also a private tour.

Our first event up was the wolf howl! Guests have the option to explore the grounds, shop in the gift shop, poke about in the buildings, and hike a little on the trail in certain areas before the program starts, which we did. We stopped and looked at the foxes and I exclaimed over how adorable they are, we ducked into the nature center building where we learned about the different wolf howls, depending on the number of wolves (solo, duet, rally, chorus). Then we decided to check out the seating, since kiddo was in his wheelchair. They have stadium type bleachers in front of where the program is held, but also had a few regular benches as well, and those worked perfectly for us. Then we just had to wait for it to start! Waiting was way easier than it normally would have been, because the wolves were front and center, walking a path around the front of the enclosure, getting ready for their demonstration and the howl. And probably the treats they knew they were about to get!

Want to see the wolves?

The howl started with educating the crowd a bit on wolves, wolf behavior, wolf howls, and what they do at the park. It was very interesting, but Wyatt loved when the howling began, as did just about every other kid (and maybe adult!) there. Sometimes the wolves howl, sometimes they don’t. It just depends on their mood, and when we were there, the wolf in front of us, Khewa, was giving a low howl, and it was so adorable. She was so close to us that we were clearly able to hear her.

We ended up leaving half an hour early, but not because it was boring, but because Wyatt was tiring out and we still had an hour drive back to our rental – then we had to get up early and do the drive all over again! That was ok though, because the next day was our private tour!!

After a solid night of sleep and dreams full of wolves, we returned to the park for our private tour. Nikki, our education docent, met us at the door and they were all ready for my little guy. Since we were the only people there, we were able to just leave his wheelchair in the gift shop while we were on the tour, since the gravel path was too much for its wheels. However, Nikki had secured the use of a golf cart (also reservable with the tour) and had it all backed up and waiting for our little family. We were all so excited, but no one was as excited as Wyatt.

Wyatt is a loud kid, but only with people he loves and trusts. Generally, when he is with new people or in new situations he is pretty shy and quiet. So that is what Billy and I expected when we booked this tour. We were absolutely shocked however when Wyatt was a wild child on this tour. I think Wyatt just had a lot of excitement going on! He loved the golf cart, he loved Nikki, and would not stop trying to talk to her and stand up to be near her. He seriously did not pay too much attention to the tour, but Billy and I did and it was fascinating. Nikki drove us around all the enclosures, stopped and shared information, answered our endless questions, and handled Wyatt’s chatter all very well. She definitely has a gift not just for animals but with children as well, the sign of a very good person in my opinion. She gave off just a very calm, upbeat vibe. Nikki was brought in to work with the bison, so they are her favorites on the property. We learned not just a lot about the wolves, but also about bison! It was really cool.

Our tour finished up at the foxes and with Clementine. When we pulled up at the foxes, we were just in time for the keepers to work with them so we got to watch the feeding and working demonstrations and I loved it!! Wyatt could not get over how stinky they were, because dang, foxes stink y’all. Very musky. We also got to see Clementine and learn about box turtles!

What a great place to work!

After our tour we shopped, and since we were the only people there, had the shop to ourselves which was neat too. We picked a few souvenirs for ourselves and then for our four nieces as well.

Overall, this was 100% worth the effort and money spent, even if Wyatt did not get the “full experience”. He was just so very overstimulated and excited I think by being there, but it is still an experience he will remember forever, his vacation with the wolves. Billy and I got a lot out of the tour, which was amazing and I highly highly recommend booking the private tour if you are visiting, especially if you are driving a distance to get there. If we lived in the area, this is a place that we would visit all the time and probably visit for all the fun different events they have, like the upcoming picnic and the more seasonal holiday type events, as well as the howls.

The staff was amazing, from start to finish, including when I was emailing back and forth to ask about accommodations for Wyatt, rescheduling, and then finalizing our reservations. Just a great all around experience!!!

You can see the wolves and other ambassadors here, and then explore the website for more information, because if you are a wolf lover, or know one, then this place is a definite must visit!

You can read about the first part of our trip here.

Mini-Trip: Part 1

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn travel8 Comments

This weekend was a blur – we were on the move! We took a quick road trip to Indiana, with a special destination in mind – Wolf Park!

Our journey started though with a blur of farm country out the car window, as we hit the road and drove the four hours or so to where we were staying. However, we did make a stop halfway through our drive, in Fort Wayne.

My late stepfather was born and lived in Fort Wayne, and although he moved away to Michigan as a young boy, he was a Hoosier in his heart forever. His love for Indiana, his home state was deep and he loved going back to visit family and to explore his beloved Indiana. So our visit was special for me as well, like a connection to my stepdad.

We had planned to spend a little more time than we did in Fort Wayne, but ended up just hitting our main goal – to see the Johnny Appleseed gravesite. Our family holds John Chapman as one of our favorite historical heroes, for his way of life, respecting nature, making peace where there is war, sharing what you have. (although he did have some strange religious views that I discovered when researching him). So, when we learned we would be near where he is buried we thought we would make a stop.

It was quite a lovely and peaceful spot, on top of a hill by a park. The other side is a giant arena so maybe not so much when that is in use but time moves on I guess. But when we were there it was quiet and peaceful.

Then we got back in the car and made a choice – mess about in Ft Wayne a bit longer or get the rest of the drive over with. And we opted to get to our Airbnb, and get settled. So we hit the road, again! We arrived to our Airbnb about an hour and a half later. I love an Airbnb. I feel like it gives Wyatt a lot more freedom, with more space to move and get his energy out, especially after being cooped up in the car, and because he can be loud if he wants. That being said, you never know where you will end up sometimes, neighborhood-wise or city wise even at times, unless you know right where you are going. I tend to focus on what the house itself looks like in the photos, how it is set up, if it looks clean, and also I look at the reviews and rating. So the house we ended up at was super cute and clean and tidy and it appeared to be in a small town that was experiencing some revitalization which is awesome. The house we were at was completely refurbished and updated, comfortable, tidy, with seriously the most comfortable bed we have all laid in ever. And since it was vacation, we often chose to be super lazy and lay in bed and watch television instead of hanging out in the living space. Because why not?

The next day we had some different options for our day. We had our wolf howl in the evening and we had to be there by 6:45 and it was an hour from our rental, so we had to keep that in mind, that we had a two hour round trip drive in the evening. So did we want to spend the day driving to different places, or stay local and have a more chill day? We decided it would be best for Wyatt to have a chill day and not wear the kid out before the wolf howl, so we explored the local area and had a very relaxed and fun day.

It was free comic book day as well! We found a nearby comic book store that Wyatt could get his free comics, and then explored the rest of the city as well. We were in Kokomo, Indiana, and it was a cute little town with a quirky little vibe, with “Geek Street” and art alley. Geek Street was a fun stop. We stopped at the comic book store, Comics Cubed, picked up Wyatt’s free comic, and purchased their souvenir pin while we were there as well. Then we headed next door to Kokomo Toys and Collectibles, which is massive and if you are any kind of toy collector this would be a mecca to head to! SOOOOOOOO many Funko Pops! It was unreal. Mermaid Girl’s head would have exploded in there since she does like to collect them. And there were literally hundreds! Wyatt however, found a different something that he loved. A tiny collectible Bob Ross! He LOVES Bob Ross and that was his pick. I was happy we found that there, because we had considered heading to the Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, an hour south, to tour the Joy of Painting set but ruled it out due to the driving and Wyatt’s tolerance for being in the car another day all day, especially since we were going to be at least 5 hours in the car the next day. Maybe another trip to Indiana we can do that.

From there we headed to Chapter 2 Books, a simply beautiful used book store! It smelled good, like wood, and that is due to the fact that it is in fact, all designed from fresh wood. It was so pretty in there! The shop keeper was super nice, and… there was a store cat named Nancy Drew! She was beautiful as well. We ended up getting a book to read together later this year, in October, and the shopkeeper gave Wyatt a Pete the Cat pin as well, and some stickers from The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I certainly appreciated. LOL.

We continued to poke around, visiting a crystal shop where I picked up a strawberry quartz because I liked the name and it was pretty, and a jasper arrowhead for our nature cabinet. Then we grabbed a pizza from Pizza Co. to take back to the rental for a late lunch, early dinner. It was completely handmade, and it was delicious. We have a tradition of trying to find a non-chain pizza place to get a pizza from on vacations so this one was a happy find!

After our afternoon of exploring and pigging out on pizza, we took a quick little disco nap before we had to get ready for our wolf howl! Tomorrow, I will talk all about the wolves…. but let me tell you, it was awesome!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the Mother Nature Lover

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn holiday gift guide12 Comments

Ah, Mother’s Day. I remember my very first Mother’s Day. Wyatt was only two months old, one month adjusted with his preemie age factored in, and I woke up early on a rainy day to realize I needed to go to the store and grab his special formula before he woke up. It was quiet, Billy and Wyatt were both sleeping, and I thought, this is what it is like to be a mom. I have no idea why that moment felt like that so much to me, but it did. It’s the small things though, those tiny little moments, the pockets of everyday where we do things behind the scenes all the time (just like fathers do as well).

Wyatt was a surprise. We didn’t think we could have children, then boom, one day there was Wyatt. The best surprise we ever had that is for sure. However, we are all different, and have different situations. And Mother’s Day can be a hard day for a lot of people, for many different reasons. So this list is for anyone who nurtures and loves, whether that nurturing is for a child or a furry or scaly pet, or a plant, or an elderly parent or a sibling – frankly, for anyone. But especially for someone who loves nature!

Links contain affiliate links that provide a small commission if you were to purchase anything.

First, the bracelet I asked for. LOL. I had a rabbit bracelet similar to this that I never took off and wore for years and then sometime over the winter it must have snagged on something or it fell off and I didn’t notice but I lost it. And I miss it!

I also totally dig that mug! Because, yeah, I’m crunchy too. This one is no longer available – this is a similar one.

Two adorable tees!! I love both of these and would wear them myself all the time. I love the fox among the flowers, it is just so sweet. And I would like to consider myself a wild mama, like wild as in liking the wilderness.

These socks are too cute!! And can be ordered with the names of children, or fur babies! And this family tree bar necklace is perfect for that boho-hippie in your life! (this shop is on break – similar item here)

So I am in love with this blanket! It looks so lovely to cuddle under! The company can also personalize the blankets as well, which would be a sweet touch. And this ring is beautiful to me – green, floral, dainty. Perfection!!

Owls!!!! They are not what they seem you know! (Bonus points to you if you recognize the reference..) I really really need to get my ears re-pierced because Etsy always has the cutest earrings like these! And I just can’t with the cuteness of this secret locket necklace!! I have developed a love for squirrels this year, partially because I have a little squirrel we named Jack who scratches at the window by where I sit to let me know it is time to feed him. And when I open the door, he is sitting on the welcome mat, then runs over and leaps to the porch rail and waits for his peanuts. It is so darn cute! Anyone, this necklace has both acorns and squirrels, plus you can add your little secret message to your loved one.

I hope that you enjoyed these fun nature finds! I know that I enjoyed browsing the Etsy site, as I always do….

Book Review: Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review5 Comments

Goodreads Summary:

The first book in the Shady Hollow series, in which we are introduced to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live together in harmony–until a curmudgeonly toad turns up dead and the local reporter has to solve the case.

Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy.

Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera’s cunning and quickness to crack the case.

My Thoughts:

This book was absolutely adorable – or I guess as adorable as a murder mystery can get, which in this case is pretty darn adorable. Shady Hollow seems like a wonderful village to live in, with a bookstore named Nevermore owned by a raven named Lenore, a moose named Joe who runs the local coffee shop, and of course Vera Vixen, the reporter with a nose for news…and solving mysteries.

Shady Hollow is a sweet little woodland town, usually a sleepy little woodland town as well. But when the grumpy toad Otto Stumpf is found dead in the water, it sets the town a buzz. At first it is thought that he died accidentally, but circumstances and evidence soon begin to point to murder – you know, like that knife found in his back when they pull him from the water. But who did it? And why? Otto’s murder kicks off a series of events, revealing new mysteries and secrets and even more danger, especially for Vera who is hot on the case.

I loved this book. I love books with animals, although honestly I was a little overloaded this time around as I am also reading Wind in the Willows and a Heartwood Hotel book aloud with Wyatt – so many animals who talk and wear clothes and live like people! However, I enjoyed escaping into the world of Shady Hollow in my own free time, and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series, Cold Clay, which I have on my list for autumn!

Tuesday Morning Coffee Catch Up

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Coffee Catch UP18 Comments

Hello everyone! Our percolator died and so we are currently just using the Keurig. Keurig coffee means Newman’s Own coffee, which is quite tasty. And I definitely need it this morning, it is rainy and chilly!

So much happened in the past week!

So Jeanie at Marmalade Gypsy has told me in the past about a music camp for special needs children at MSU, called RicStar which is an all-inclusive day camp that lasts three days, all about music and musical expression and music therapy for the attendees. Then it all culminates in a StarShow on the last day that family and friends can attend! I have always wanted to sign Wyatt up for it, but the timing was never right. Well, this year it was! I am extremely excited about this adventure my little guy and I will be taking together; it’s a hike from our house but not terrible. My plan is to drive there and back one day, then the next stay up there. Billy will join us after work and stay over as well, and just work from the room until Wyatt’s concert. I have all the reservations made. Kiddo is going to have a blast. Music is his favorite thing in the whole world, besides books and painting, and the one thing that neither Billy nor I are good at (well out of those three). So this will be an awesome experience for him!

This camp was created by Judy Winter, whose son Eric had cerebral palsy just like Wy-guy. Judy and her husband are huge advocates for the special needs community, and Judy is an author and speaker for individuals who are differently abled. Cindy Edgerton , the Director of the CMS Musical Therapy Services, is their partner in this endeavor, and she is the woman I have been corresponding with. She has been extremely helpful and friendly, and has even offered to help me find regular music therapy services for Wyatt closer to home!

We also went visited Greenfield Village for the first time this season! It is one of our favorite places, even when it is chilly and damp (is that our only weather these days?) We have a membership and I try to take it advantage of it as much as possible during the summer, even if we go just to walk around and ride the train and eat frozen custard, and skip the actual historical bits. Although, I do always stop and visit all the gardens.

All my favorite spots! I also made sure we stopped in at the house that George Washington Carver grew up in, since Wyatt studied him a few weeks ago. The walls are made of wood planks from each state tree, which since we talk about different state trees every week, I thought would be mildly interesting to show Wyatt. I took special pains to find South Carolina, since we did SC last week, and Indiana, since we are learning about Indiana this week, to show Wyatt. And as you might imagine, he was not super impressed, or interested. LOL. He did very much enjoy his giant chocolate chip cookie though.

Billy was also excited this past week. His isopod dreams are coming true! I have no idea why he is so enthused about fancy roly-bugs, but..he is. And Wyatt thinks they are pretty neat to watch so I guess this is a new thing at our house. For those of you who have not heard, isopods are a niche little hobby. People keep them as pets and also raise them and sell them for others to either keep as pets or to put into their terrariums as “clean up crews” to help keep the terrarium healthy and clean. Billy plans to add our isopods, once they grow in number, to our lizard tanks and also sell them on the side. But first, the colonies needs to grow. He currently has three different kinds – and let me tell you, there are SO MANY different kinds. It is unbelievable how many! The prices range from very cheap to very expensive (not Billy’s, just in general). There is a type called the Rubber Ducky isopod, which generally costs $200 for 6. 6 roly poly bugs y’all! I guess I don’t have to understand, just accept that Billy is into this and if it makes him happy, it does me as well. Billy’s isopods are Dairy Cows, A. Gestroi, and his new ones, Panda Kings (The Herd, The Horde, and The Sleuth, as Billy refers to them). Frankly, as far as pets or a hobby goes, they are fairly easy to maintain. Just some dirt and wood and leaves and vegetable scraps, and a damp side and dry side. I also think there is a clay ball thing drainage layer too. I am not thrilled that right now they are living in my office, but we are still working on the best spot for them to permanently live.

And, I think I will leave off here! My coffee cup is empty and I should probably get ready to start our school day! Have a good one everyone!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn books and reading36 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Hello everyone! We had a pretty big week last week, lots of happenings and big decisions and fun things too! Wyatt and I finally have gotten back on track with our schedule. We have had a crazy two months and it was so nice to get back fully into our routine. Just in time for us to go on a mini-trip this weekend! We are heading to Indiana to see the wolves at Wolf Park. This was supposed to be Wyatt’s birthday gift but he was in the hospital so we rescheduled. I mentioned last week that I had started making journals through Amazon’s self-publishing program and I made a special one for our upcoming trip (as well as the rest of our trips throughout the rest of the year). It arrives today and I am anxious to get started writing in it. I am excited about our trip too, I think Wyatt will really love it!

I have not quite figured out all the logistics of selling these yet. Lol. They are available on Amazon but I haven’t been able to master how to show the interior pages on the Amazon page quite yet; however I have been making these informational type things that I post on the Fox & Firth Facebook and Instagram pages that do show the interior pages. The storefront itself is here.

Read Last Week:

Shady Hollow is so cute!!! I am not quite done with it but I should be today or tomorrow. I really love it. I mean, any book that references Watership Down in the little blurb I had to read, and while it is nothing like Watership Down, really, except for talking animals, it is a great book all on its own. I also finished listening to Braiding Sweetgrass. I loved the book when I read it a few years ago and loved it even more listening to it being read by Kimmerer. I highly recommend it, whether you read it or listen.

Reading This Week:

I know going into this week that I am not going to have too much time to read so I am choosing my books accordingly. The Wild and Free Family is a shorter book that I can take my time reading, picking it up here and there, probably while Wyatt is in physical therapy and speech. I LOVED the Call of the Wild and Free by Arment so I am excited to start this one. And then The Moth Keeper just looks beautiful. It is a middle grade graphic novel and I look forward to relaxing with it at night. (plus I love Luna Moths!)

Posted Last Week:

Book Review: The White Hare

The Spring of Cary Grant: An Affair to Remember

Wonderful Watership Down Covers

Watched Last Week:

In TV, we watched When Calls the Heart, which Billy is truly such a sport for watching with me. We also watched a few Murdoch Mysteries, and then last night the newest episode of Brokenwood Mysteries. Brokenwood is seriously one of my favorite shows. I am also waiting very impatiently for new episodes of Hotel Portofino (the first season was amazing!) and Beyond Paradise, although that last one I feel like I will be waiting for a while sadly.

We of course also watched An Affair to Remember. This week our Cary Grant film of the week is Holiday! I have heard good things about that one and I am looking forward to it!

And that is about it from our around here today! I hope all is well in your world!

Wonderful Watership Down Book Covers

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn books and reading5 Comments

Last Friday, I mentioned I want to start collecting different copies of Watership Down. There are just so many out there! Billy got me a really cool one last year for Mother’s Day, and I asked him that if he was going to get me something this year, to maybe make it another version, to add to my collection. There are just so many to choose from! They also range in price, greatly in some cases! I found most of these on used book sites so you know I sent a few to Billy to peruse, you know, just in cases.

This 40th Anniversary Edition from Thrift Books ($7.00)

This Puffin Edition on Amazon ($24.19)

This edition found on AbeBooks ($13.55)

Another copy found on AbeBooks ($3.55)

This next one I am totally in love with but it is spendy!! This is the lowest price I found..

Ebay ($57.46)

This beautiful graphic novel on Amazon ($31.50)

Then this bad boy…. the creme de la creme…

A SIGNED FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION! Abe Books, only…. $1,249.35.

And there you have it! Obviously since most of these are available on thrift/used sites, the availability and prices may change.

Which is your favorite?

The Spring of Cary Grant: An Affair to Remember

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized15 Comments

So when Lisa at Boondock Ramblings told me she was going to do a Spring of Cary Grant, I knew I wanted in on it. She introduced me to the legend that is Grant last fall, and I am woefully behind on his films. So I am tagging along on her journey, posting along with her as well.

This week’s feature: An Affair to Remember

Oh please don’t kill me internet but I was not a super fan of this one! I know this is a classic tearjerker, romantic film but.. it was hard for me to get past some things!

I feel like this is such a famous movie that I don’t need to do a recap, but real quicklike, Grant plays a player, he likes women and dates them all. Sometimes all at once. Well, he gets engaged and goes on a cruise and meets Kerr, who is also in a relationship, but the two of them being otherwise connected to other people doesn’t deter Nick (is his name always Nick in movies?) from working his wiles upon Terry (Kerr), who does refuse his advances, although she is very drawn to him.

Anyway, she meets his sweet grandma (I guess I am doing a recap), she learns he yearns to paint as his secret passion, he learns she can sing. It is on this visit that they realize they love each other, however since they have other entanglements they make a deal – they will go back to their lives, decide what it is they really want, and if they decide that what they want is the other person, they will meet New Years Eve on top of the Empire State Building.

So anyway, NYE rolls around and Nick is waiting. Terry is on her way to their rendezvous and happiness is in sight – until she is plowed by a car in front and becomes paralyzed from the waist down.

This is where the movie loses me. And I tried not to let my own emotions interfere here but it was hard to separate. Kerr is not a lesser woman or person because she is in a wheelchair! I realize sentiments and things were different then but this was a hard plotline to swallow as the parent of a child in a wheelchair. I never, ever want him to feel like he is not good enough for someone to love. And I know this is just a movie, but the whole thing bothered me.

So the end – which makes everyone cry and made me throw hands. So Nickie finds Terry after she visits his gallery and he learns of a woman who looked like the woman in the painting but this woman was in a wheelchair. He barges into her apartment (because no one locked doors back then) and puts two and two together, and then he rushes to her side with declarations and questions, why didn’t you tell me? Why couldn’t it have been me? kind of things. And they reconcile and embrace and Terry says “Don’t worry, darling. If you can paint, l can walk. Anything can happen, don’t you think?” I mean, sure maybe. I don’t want to take that away from her. But, does it matter if she doesn’t? Billy chose to interpret that as his paintings of her will allow her to walk, like through art but not physically.

And yes, I am being overly reactive and emotional about this. I am normally not. I am not one for going back and revising things to meet modern beliefs and standards- I like to take those moments as learning opportunities, or to look back and think look how far we have come (sometimes). But I guess I also don’t need to get weepy over something that actually made me feel sad for a much different reason.

I don’t want to take away how far things have come for the disabled community either, by getting too up in arms. This was just too close to my mama bear heartstrings. I can see how it would be a beautiful, teary moment in the 50s, and even now. So if you loved it and were teary then I see nothing wrong with your reaction! I think that is the typical, normal response. Mine was just influenced by my own emotions this time around. So please don’t feel like if you did love this movie and wept over the ending that I am being critical of you. I am not. Really, truly, I mean that. We all just view life through a different lens and for me my lens was a little clouded. This was just not my favorite, although the acting range was incredible. It just wasn’t my Grant movie. So far that is still To Catch a Thief (with Houseboat a close second).

For Lisa’s post, click here!

Next up – Holiday!

Book Review: The White Hare

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review9 Comments

Publisher Summary:

In a valley steeped in legend lies an abandoned house where Edens may be lost, found and remade…

The White Valley in the far west of Cornwall cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea. The house above the beach has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation, which is why Mila and her mother Magda acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954.

Magda plans to restore the house to its former glory: the venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for bracing walks by day and sumptuous cocktails by night. Mila’s ambitions, meanwhile, are much less grand; she dreams of creating a safe haven for herself, and a happy home for her little girl, Janey.

The White Valley comes with a long, eventful history, laced with tall tales. Locals say that a white hare may be seen running through the woods there; to some she’s an ill omen, to others a blessing. Feeling fragile and broken-hearted, Mila is in need of as many blessings as she can get. But will this place provide the fresh start she so desperately needs?

My Thoughts:

I could not get enough of this book. I love books that feel heavy with mystery and history and folklore, that are atmospheric and surprising. This book had all of that, PLUS rabbits! Ok so not like rabbits running around being super cute but sort of maybe ominous and curious most of the book because you are not quite sure what the heck is going on but you know, just know, something is afoot, and the white hare totally has something to do with it.

The story is set in Cornwall, in a house that has a mysterious past, and not a good one from what new owner Mila can surmise. No one will really tell her just what happened there, just that it is a “cursed place”. But hopeful Mila, who just wants a whimsical, safe, loving childhood for her daughter, Janey, has high hope for their new home. Not as high of hopes as her own mother however, Magda, who plans on turning the house into a ritzy high end inn for travelers. Janey, for her perspective, instantly takes to the house and particularly the land, and runs a bit wild and free, which I loved.

This is one of those books I don’t want to get into much detail or talk too much about – I think there is just too much to spoil for a reader.

I will say that it reading it reminded me so much of reading a book by Barbara Michaels or Mary Stewart, which is high praise from me because I love those two authors. There is a timelessness about it, a quietness despite the unease that grows as the book moves along. I wanted to pull on my wellies and explore the bluebell woods, the beach, learn about the turbulent history of the area (oh, I can do that one) along with these characters. I want to sit in the kitchen with Keziah and Ariadne, ramble the hills with Jack. It was one of those books guys, where you just fall right into that world, and then when it is over, you are left feeling a little lost because you are not there anymore.

This book is definitely one of my favorite reads this year so far. I look forward to rereading it again and again!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn books and reading36 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Hello everyone! We had a very quiet week around here, and so far, a pretty quiet weekend. It’s been nice actually. I’ve been working on a new enterprise along with Billy, making journals that I sell over on Amazon through their self-publishing service, and I have been enjoying working on them whenever I can catch a moment. So far I have made camping and caregiver and medical journals to take to doctor’s appointments, as well as a line of nature journals that Wyatt designed the covers for. It’s been really fun!

I’ve also been making my final decisions on the curriculum that Wyatt and I are going to use next year. It is one of my favorite things to do! I’ve been toying with an idea of a YouTube channel to talk about homeschooling, and homeschooling a special needs child, our crazy life and adventures, but…I don’t know if I would feel comfortable being in front of a camera like that. I prefer being behind the scenes and behind the camera, but I feel like I get so much out of the YouTube channels I watch, information wise, that I wonder if I have something to offer with our experiences as Wyatt’s parents and how we all choose to live. It would also offer an opportunity for more conversation with other families like ours and opportunities to learn from. I don’t know though. And here I am just blathering on this morning, I guess I couldn’t wait for my coffee catch up day.

Let’s get to the books!!

Read Last Week:

So last week I ended up starting The White Hare and I absolutely am in love with it. I am not quite finished yet but I will finish today or tomorrow. It reminds me of a Barbara Michaels or Mary Stewart book and they are two of my favorite authors to read! I have also been listening to Braiding Sweetgrass. I read it a few years ago but there is something very special about listening to it as well. Robin Wall Kimmerer reads it herself and that adds such a lovely additional dimension, her words in her voice. I definitely recommend listening to it.

Wyatt and I FINALLY finished The Wild Robot. We had some big pauses in our nightly reading with his surgeries even though we tried a few times, but we finally got off that island. I do like that book and Roz and Brightbill but if you have a sensitive child I would recommend reading it yourself first to see if it will bother them.

Reading This Week:

I keep seeing so much about this Shady Hollow series that I am going to give it a go. I think I tried once before but didn’t end up reading it. And Wyatt and I have started Heartwood Hollow book 3, Better Together as our before bed read. I guess both of us are all about anthropomorphism.

Posted Last Week:

Wednesday Morning Coffee Catch Up

The Spring of Cary Grant: My Favorite Wife

Book Review: Watership Down

Watching and Listening:

We have been watching When Calls the Heart (Billy, you are such a good guy), and The Brokenwood Mysteries. I am so excited Brokenwood has a new season, I just love that show. Then Lisa from Boondock Ramblings mentioned that Newhart is on Amazon and when Billy told me he had NEVER EVER watched it, we had to add it to our line up. We watch it when we need to watch something quick and funny because Bob Newhart always cracks me up with his deadpan delivery. I remember watching it when I was real little kid with my mom and dad – just like Wyatt does now. I wonder if he will grow up wanting to live in New England in an old home in a small town, sort of like I did? I am pretty sure Newhart influenced me (but better Newhart than Dallas which I also watched with my mom…)

We also watched My Favorite Wife as part of our Spring of Cary Grant.

I haven’t been listening to podcasts since I have been listening to Braiding Sweetgrass.

Musically, we generally ask Alexa to play Classic 70s Folk, and that is our go-to. Although I always always skip Joni Mitchell because her voice is beautiful but sounds so mournful to me, and also that Cat’s in the Cradle song that always makes me want to sob.

And that is it from around here! What is going on in your world?